The domino effect is a phenomenon that occurs when one event triggers many other events. For example, if you set a plate of spaghetti on the table, and someone walks by and bumps it, then a chain reaction begins that eventually results in the plates all toppling. In a similar way, when you play domino, the number of dots on the end of a domino determines its value and what kind of chain will develop.
Dominoes are also often used as building blocks in mechanical devices such as Rube Goldberg machines. On 9 November 2009, a human set the record for highest number of dominoes toppled in one minute, with a total of 289 dominoes. In more esoteric uses, dominoes are sometimes arranged in art installations such as sculptures and light shows.
A domino is a rectangular tile with a line across it to divide it visually into two squares, called ends. Each end has an arrangement of dots, like the pips on a die, although some ends are blank or have no markings at all. The number of dots on a domino determines its value and, in most games, the suit it belongs to.
In the game of domino, each player begins with a hand of seven tiles. When a player can’t lay down a domino, they “knock” the table with their hand and pass play to another player. The winner of the game is the first player to lay all their tiles, or reach a point where they can no longer make any more moves without knocking the table.
Most domino games involve laying down dominoes so that the numbers (or blank) match each other, but there are a number of exceptions. Some games are played with a specific suit, and others require the player to have certain types of dominoes in their hand, such as all doubles or all singles. A particular suit may also be described as being heavier or lighter, based on the number of pips it contains.
Domino is often taught in school, as it helps students learn how to count and to add and subtract. It’s also an excellent way to introduce the concept of probability, since the outcome of any particular domino placement is highly dependent on what other pieces have already been played.
Unlike playing cards, dominoes have the additional benefit of being tactile and therefore more interesting to children. A great many different games can be played with a standard domino set, which consists of 28 tiles. These include the most popular games in British pubs, where a scoring version of 5s-and-3s is commonly played. The rules of other games are available in many books, including the comprehensive “The Great Book of Domino Games” by Jennifer A. Kelley, which is also available in print form.
